Epiphone goes for gold with Joe Bonamassa Signature Firebird-I guitar

News
By
published

Limited-edition electric replicates JB's '63 Gibson

No stranger to signature models, Joe Bonamassa has announced his latest collaboration with Epiphone: the Signature Firebird-I, available in Polymist Gold and Tobacco Sunburst finishes.

Closely modelled on Joe's own '63 Firebird, the new Firebird-I features the ProBucker FB720, a recreation of the original early-'60s Firebird pickup, plus Kluson original-style tuners.

Elsewhere, a mahogany body is paired with a nine-piece laminated mahogany/walnut neck with period-correct early-'60s rounded C profile, modelled after Joe's original. Thankfully, a dual truss rod is also onboard - see full specs below.

We A/B'd the new Epiphone with my two original '63s. The Epi's play and sound better!

"The guitar is called 'Treasure' as it's based on the '63 Firebird that was graciously gifted to me four years ago," says Joe. "We A/B'd the new Epiphone with my two original '63s. The Epi's play and sound better! Ugh... I just paid $12,000 for one!"

In that case, at $1,332 (Polymist Gold with hardcase) or $799 (Tobacco Sunburst with gigbag) from Joe Bonamassa's web shop, his Epi sounds to be a steal indeed. It's available from 15 December.

  • Neck Joint: Thru-Neck
  • Neck Material: Mahogany/Walnut; 9-pc Laminated
  • Body Wing Material: Mahogany
  • Body Shape: Reverse Firebird
  • Neck Shape Options: 1960's Rounded-C
  • Truss Rod: Adjustable; Dual-Action
  • Truss Rod Cover: 1-layer; Black; "Epiphone" logo in Gold
  • Scale Length: 24.75"
  • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood with "Dot" Inlays
  • Nut: Ivory PVC
  • Headstock: Original Firebird beveled
  • Bridge Pickup: Epiphone ProBucker FB720
  • Controls: Master Volume
  • Master Tone
  • Knobs: Gold "Top Hats" with metal inserts and pointers
  • Fingerboard Radius: 14"
  • Pickguard: (3-Layer); White/Black/White with Vintage "Firebird" logo
  • Frets: 22; medium-jumbo
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: Adjustable Wrap-around "Lightning Bar";
  • Nut Width: 1-11/16"
  • Hardware: Nickel
  • Output Jack: Epiphone Heavy-Duty 1/4"
  • Machine Heads: Kluson Reissue Firebird/Banjo Tuners; 12:1 ratio (14.6:1 wind rate)
  • Strap Buttons: Yes
  • Includes: Hand-Signed Certificate of Authenticity
  • Custom Hard Case with Jb Firebird Emblem - only comes with Polymist Gold
  • Custom Deluxe Gigbag with JB Firebird Emblem - Tobacco Sunburst
Categories
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.